Holding

Termination of the cadet's training was lawful as it was based on his academic failure and misconduct in accordance with Air Force Order No. 79 of 1973 and the proper procedure was observed.

Summary

The respondent, a flight cadet in the Indian Air Force, was repeatedly given opportunities to train in different courses but was terminated each time due to medical unfitness, academic failure and repeated misconduct. After a series of Training Review Boards recommended termination, the Air Headquarters approved the decision. The cadet obtained interim relief from the Allahabad High Court and resumed training, but further incidents of indiscipline and criminal conduct occurred, leading to his final termination. The High Court quashed the termination orders, but the Supreme Court held that the termination was justified, the procedural safeguards were observed, and the High Court had erred by focusing on irrelevant matters. Consequently, the Supreme Court allowed the appeal and set aside the High Court's orders.

Issues considered

The legality of the termination of the cadet's training under Air Force Order No. 79 of 1973.
Whether the procedural requirements, including the opportunity to be heard before a Training Review Board, were complied with.
Whether the High Court erred in quashing the termination orders on grounds of alleged procedural impropriety and denial of grace marks.

Subjects

judicial reviewadministrative lawmilitary trainingtermination of serviceacademic failuremisconductnatural justiceprocedural improprietyWednesbury unreasonableness

Judgment

-f

UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. A
v.
FLIGHT CADET ASHISH RAI

JANUARY 18. 2006

[ARIJIT PASA VAT AND TA RUN CHATTRJEE, JJ.] B

SER VICE LA W:

Training of cadet-Termination of. due to medical unfitness-Further
two opportunities for training in different courses-Failure in academics- C
Suspension of training-Resumption of training by interim order of High
Court-Cadet involved in criminal cases and acts of misconduct-Termination
of training due to failure in academics and. indiscipline-Order of suspension
and termination quashed by High Court in Writ Petitions as well as Writ
, Appeals-On appeal, held: Termination of training justified in view of his D
failure in final examination and his various acts of misconduct-Air Force
Order No. 79 of 1973.

Judicial Review-Of administrative matters-Scope of-Held:
Administrative actions subject to control of judicial review on(v in case of
illegality, irrationality and procedural improprie(v-Not permissible when E
irrelevant aspects have been eschewed from consideration, no relevant aspect
is ignored and administrative decisions have nexus with the facts on record.

r ~ Respondent was selected as a flight cadet, but the training wa~
terminated in the mid due to his medical unfitness. A further opportunity
of training in Navigators course was also terminated since he was lagging p
behind in studies. Still another opportunity was given to him for training
in Ground Duty Officer's course. As he failed in various academic subjects,
a Training Review Board was formed and its opinion was forwarded to
the Headquarters for processing with Central Government. Respondent
was suspended. He filed Writ Petition, wherein, by an interim order he
was allowed to continue training. During training, prior to suspension as G
well as after his having resumed the training, he was found involved in
various acts of misconduct and was also involved in criminal cases. His
training was terminated, because of his failure in academics and for
maintaining low standard of discipline. He filed another Writ Petition
457 H
458 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20061 I S.C.R.

A challenging order of termination. High Court allowed both the Writ
Petitions quashing the orders of suspension as well as termination. Writ
Appeals of the appellant were dismissed. Hence the present appeals.

Allowing the appeals, the Court

HELD: I. I There should be judicial restraint while making judicial
B review in administrative matters. Where irrelevant aspects have been
eschewed from consideration and no relevant aspect has been ignored and
the administrative decisions have nexus with the facts on record, there is
no scope for interference. The duty of the court is (a) to confine itself to
the question of legality; (b) to decide whether the decision making
C authority exceeded its powers (c) committed an error of law (d) committed
breach of the rules of natural justice and (e) reached a decision which no
reasonable Tribunal would have reached or (f) abused its powers.
[461-E-F'[

1.2. Administrative action is subject to control by judicial review in '
D the following manner: (i) Illegality: This means the decision making power ,
and must give effect to it. (ii) Irrationality, namely, Wednesbury
unreasonableness. (iii) Procedural impropriety. [461-F-H[

2.1. In the instant case the High Court seems to have ignored the
relevant aspects and emphasized on irrelevant issues. There were Review
E Boards on three occasions at Air Force academy where the relevant factors
regarding the academic performance of the respondent as well as the
disciplinary cases were considered and termination of training was
recommended. The training termination proceedings were forwarded to
the Air Headquarters as well as the Government of India which duly
F approved the same. That itself shows that there was no mala-fides involved.
[462-A-B[

2.2. It is evident from Air F'orce Order No. 79of1973 that training
of failed cadets can be terminated. The question of allotment of grace
marks is also governed by the instructions and clearly the respondent was
G not entitled to grace marks. The warning letters issued to the respondent
show that he had failed to secure the requisite pass percentage and he was
ad\'ised guidance and additional coaching. In the final examinations he
had failed in two various subjects. In the confidential recommendation of
the latter Training Review Board various acts of misconduct were noticed
and that is why it was recommended that his training be terminated.
H [462-C-D; 463-E-F[
U.0.1. v. FLIGHT CADET ASH ISH RAI [PASA YAT, J.) 459

2.3. Opportunity for cross-examination while making submissions, A
affirmative statements was given. Several Training Review Boards were
held to look into the questions of indiscipline and the failure in academics.
This amply proves that adequate opportunity was granted to. the
respondent to explain his position. The High Court did not keep in view
the principles governing judicial review and acted on surmises and B
conjectures, and quashed the orders passed by the authorities. (463-G-H(

. CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal Nos. 402-403 of
2004.

From the Judgment and Order dated 26.09.2003 of the Allahabad High C
Court in Special Appeal Nos. 327 and 328/200 I.

Rajiv Dutta, Vikas Sharma, Ms. Anil Katiyar and. Ms. Sushma Suri for
the Appellants.

-~ Altaf Ahmad, Arvind Kumar Shukla, Sanjay V.S. Choudhary, Ms. D
' Sriparana Chatterjee, lrshad Ahmad and Upendra Singh for the Respondents.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

ARIJIT PASA VAT, J. Union of India and its functionaries calls in E
question legality of the judgment rendered by a Division Bench of the
Allahabad High Court holding that the learned Single Judge was right in
quashing the orders dated 16.6.2000 and 27.6.2000, and further directing
appellants to allow the respondent to complete training !Tom the stage he had
left and to act in terms of the instructions of the Headquarters, Indian Air
Force as regards re-testing. F

Factual background in a nutshell as highlighted by the appellants is as
follows:-

The respondent was selected as a Flight Cadet to undergo training to G
become a pilot in.the Indian Air Force (in short 'Air Force'). The concerned
course for being commissioned as pilot officer was course no. 157 which
covered a period of 72 weelts. It commenced on 5.2.1995. During training
the respondent complained of knee injury which was sustained prior to training
on 28.12.1994 due to a road accident. Since he remained absent during the
course, it was felt that he could not be continued in the pilot course, flying H
460 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] I S.C.R.

A training was terminated and he was given option of joining Ab-initio
Navigator's course which the respondent accepted and joined in January
1998. The course was 86 Ab-initio Navigator's course. In November 1998,
he was found to be lagging behind in the studies and the training was
terminated. Further option was given to join Ground Duty Officer's course
B which the respondent opted to join and, in fact, in July 1999 joined as a
trainee in the Administrative branch which was to be held at Air Force
Academy in Ground Duty Officer's Course No. 106. During such training the
authorities came to know various acts of misconduct on the part of the
respondent. A Court of Inquiry was conducted where the respondent admitted
the aberrations. A warning was given in November 1999. As he failed in
C three academic subjects, a Training Review Board was formed and its opinion
was forwarded to the Headquarter for processing with the Central Government.
He was suspended from training on 1.2.2000 which in Air Force terminology
is called "Struck Off Ration Strength''. He was "routed home" pending final
approval. Respondent filed a writ petition on 1.2.2000 before the Allahabad
D High Court challenging suspension of training where interim order was passed
allowing the respondent to continue training. The respondent was directed to '
resume duty on 11.3.2000 whereas he actually reported for duty on 13.3.2000.
On 11.3.2000 he was again involved in drunken brawl outside the Academy
and was arrested and sent to policy custody. On 22.3.2000 the case was
compounded by a Magistrate. On 2.4.2000 the Duty Officer of the Air Force
E Academy visited the trainees' mess and found the respondent smelling of
liquor. On 12/13.5.2000 the respondent in a drunken condition physically
assaulted co-trainees, used abusive language and terrorized a large number of
trainees by his violent behavior. On 12.6.2000 he was involved in another
criminal case in having misused credit card of the other Cadets. First '
information report was lodged, cognizance was taken and warrants were
F
issued. Since he failed in final examination he was assessed to be unsuitable
for further training by the Review Board on 29.5.2000 and on 14.6.2000 his
training was terminated because of his failure in academics and for maintaining
low standard of discipline. The report was forwarded to the Air Force
Headquarters, he was "routed home" and order of termination of Cadetship
G was passed.

Another writ petition was filed before the High Court challenging
termination_ of training. Both the writ petitions were heard together and by
order dated 25.5.200 I the learned Single Judge allowed both the writ petitions
II and quashed the orders dated 16.6.2000 and 27.6.2000. Writ appeals filed by
U.0.1. 1·. FLIGIH CADET ASlllSH RAI [PASA YAT. J.] 46 I

the present appellants were dismissed with the directions as afore-noted. A
Learned Single Judge has directed that the respondent be commissioned. By
order dated 16.1.2003 the judgment was ·stayed.

Learned Counsel for the appel Iants submitted that the High Court has
not noticed the relevant instructions and has erroneously held that the procedure
adopted by the authorities was not proper. The learned Single Judge held that B
the respondent like other co-examinees was entitled to grace marks. It was

- further noted by the learned Single Judge and the Division Bench that the
benefit was not given to the appellant. It was pointed out that there was no
ma/a.fide involved. There is no question of any design to deny benefits as
observed by learned Single Judge. In fact, with a view not to jeopardize the C
career of a cadet various options were given and, he was given different
options at different point of time taking into account his physical health.

Learned counsel for the respondent submitted that High Court has taken
note of legitimate expectations. The state of mind of a young person with
I
high hopes for serving the country has been duly considered. There was no D
inquiry conducted regarding various allegations and, in fact, after the first
instance of so-called blemish the authorities had condoned the lapses and had
closed the matter.

There should be judicial restraint while making judicial review in E
administrative matters. Where irrelevant aspects have been eschewed from
consideration and no relevant aspect has been ignored and the administrative
decisions have nexus with the facts on record, there is no scope for interference.
, \ The duty of the court is (a) to confine itself to the question of legality: (b)
to decide whether the decision making authority exceeded its powers (c)
committed an error of law (d) committed breach of the rules of natural justice F
and (e) reached a decision which no reasonable Tribunal would have reached
or (f) abused its powers. Administrative action is subject to control by judicial
review in the following manner:

(i) Illegality: This means the decision-maker must understand
correctly the law that regulates his decision-making power and G
must give effect to it.
_J
(ii) Irrationality. namely. Wednesbury unreasonableness.

(iii) Procedural impropriety. H
462 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] I S.C.R.

A In the instant case the High Court seems to have ignored the relevant
aspects and emphasized on irrelevant issues. There were Review Boards on
three occasions at Air Force academy where the relevant factors regarding
the academic performance of the respondent as well as the disciplinary cases
were considered and termination of training was recommended. The training
B termination proceedings were forwarded to the Air Headquarters as well as
the Government of India which duly approved the same. That itself shows
that there was no mala-fides involved.
.....
The learned Single Judge has clearly erred in holding that the authorities
were showing repugnance to the order of the High Court and there was
C design to deny the commissioning to the respondent as he had challenged
authorities of the Air Force. This conclusion is clearly without any supportable
material. The power of punishment is contained in paragraph 3 of order
no.46/98 dated 13.3.1998 which deals with disciplinary proceedings of the
Cadet. The extent of exercise of power by various authorities is delineated in
the;e instructions. \
D
Air Force Order (AFO) No.79173 issued by the Chief of the Air Force
Staff prescribes the procedure to deal with the Cadets found/assessed
unsuitable.· Some of the relevant paras need to be noted.

E Paras 11, 12 and 15 of the AFO provide that a Cadet can be unsuitable
at any of the grounds namely, Indiscipline, Medically Unfit or Lack of Officer
Like Quality.

Para I 8(a) further that failure in Final Exams is also a ground for ~ •
holding the cadet unsuitable and the training of an unsuitable. Cadet can be
F suspended or terminated.

Para 19 of the AFO provides that before passing an adverse order every
time a Training Review Board consisting of four members shall be constituted
and the TRB will give opportunity to the Cadet. will record statements and
will propose an action to be taken against the Cadet.
G
Para 22 of the AFO provides that the Training Review Board {TRB)
will also examine the past conduct. reasonable likelihood to achieve required
standards and Basic Officer like qualities before making its recommendations.

H Training Command Air Staff Instructions (in ~hort TCASI) deals with
U.0.1. r. FLIGHT CADET ASHISH RAI [PASAYAT. J.] 463
the procedure to be followed for periodic assessment. A

Para 11 of the TCASI Provides that the assessment shall be made on
the basis of marks of the Examination and on the basis of assessing the
Officer like Qualities (OLQ) in the cadet. The cadet is required to pass such
and every paper with minimum 50% marks, and any lesser marks shall be
assessed as 'Failed'. B

- 1'
Para 16 provides that failed Cadets shall be treated in accordance with
procedure provided in AFO 79 of 1973 as amended by AFO 24 of 1976
dated 8.5.1976.

As is clearly evident from above, trammg of failed cadets can be
c
tellTI inated. The learned Single Judge referred to the instruction as quoted
above. In instruction AFO 79173 as amended it is provided inter alia as
follows:-
.j

., "12 Term "tellTlination of training" means the final elimination of a D
trainee from the training which he is undergoing, whether or not he
is thereafter allowed to be trained for the duties of some other branch
of Service."

The question of allotment of grace marks is also governed by the
instructions and clearly the respondent was not entitled to grace marks. The E
warning letters issued to the respondent show that he had failed to secure the
requisite pass percentage and he was advised guidance and additional coa~,1ing.
•\ In the fi~al examinations he had failed in two various subjects. In the
confidential recommendation of the latter Training Review Board dated
29.5.2000 various acts of misconduct were noticed and that is why it was F
recommended that his training be tellTlinated. Though the learned counsel for
the respondents submitted that the respondent was not given adequate
opportunity to defend him. from the copies of the proceedings which were
filed. we find the plea to be without substance. Opportunity fof cross-
examination while making submissions affirmative statements was given.
Several Training Review Boards were held to look into the questions of G
indiscipline and the failure in academics. This amply proves that adequate
I
~ opportunity was granted to the respondent to explain his position. The High
Court did not keep in view the principles governing judicial review and acted
on surn1ises and conjectures, and quashed the orders passed by the authorities.
H
464 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] I S.C.R.

A The judgment of the Division Bench affinning that of the learned Single
Judge is clearly unsustainable and is quashed.

Appeal is allowed but in the circumstances without any order as to
costs.

B K.K.T. Appeals allowed.

-

..

' '